[AET] Æthelmearc Æcademy

Now with Spring's growth upon us and Summer's richness at hand comes the time for personal growth and development at the Spring Æthelmearc Æcademy and War College. Many classes will be available for the sharing of knowledge in the gentle arts, the sciences, and the arts martial.

The Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands invites one and all to attend on June 16, 2012 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hills, 2359 West Ingomar Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1625. The site will open at 9 AM, classes will begin at 10 AM, and the site will close at 9 PM.

We will be joined by a keynote speaker, Saskia Beranek.

Saskia is a doctoral candidate at the University of Pittsburgh in art and architectural history. Having completed a Masters Degree at Duke University, she is currently writing her dissertation, which centers on 17th century Dutch female portraiture and its display within the domestic environment. In addition to teaching at Pitt, she is also a visiting faculty member at both Carlow University and St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

In the last forty years, art historians have reshaped our idea of the production of images in the late medieval and early modern periods by the ways in which women were involved in artistic production. More recently, attention has turned to women both as patrons and consumers of art. In this talk, Saskia Beranek will give a brief introduction to major patterns of artistic production and consumption by women between 1400 and 1600, with particular emphasis on a series of late sixteenth century Northern European (Dutch and German) prints and books intended as behavioral manuals for young ladies.

The keynote will be held immediately after lunch in the sanctuary.

A hearty all-day sideboard is being planned by the very capable Master Alastar Scott MacCrummin to start at 12:00 PM; those with food concerns are urged to contact him at stephen_morrisson (at) yahoo (dot) com. Please note that the site is dry; open flames are permitted.

The Autocrat for this day is Elss of Augsburg; direct all inquiries to her at elss_of_augsburg [at] yahoo [dot] com .

The Dean of the War College is THL Liam MacanTsaoir (ae.war.college (at) gmail [dot] com), and the A&S class coordinator is Chancellor Odriana vander Brugghe (aecademy (at) aeans [dot] org).

Reservations are being taken by THL Hildarun Hugelman; checks should be made out to ``SCA, Inc.-BMDL''. The only good reservation is a paid reservation. Reservations must be received by June 15. The event fees for the day include the sideboard: Ages 18+ will be charged $15, Ages 6 - 17 will be charged $7, Ages 0 - 5 will be admitted for free. The non-member surcharge of $5 will be collected at the door for those without proof of SCA membership. The NMS may either be sent with your reservation, or paid at the door.

Overnight accommodations are available at the EconoLodge at 107 VIP Drive, Wexford, PA 15090 (724)935-1000. This hotel is at the Wexford exit (#73) of Route 79 and is about three miles from the site. Other accommodations can be found at the Cranberry exit (#87) of Route 79, including the Four Points By Sheraton Pittsburgh North, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, PA 16046, (724)776-6900, which is about 6½ miles from the site.

Directions:
From the north, south and west:

Take your best route to Interstate 79. Take Exit 73/Wexford/Rt 910. At the end of the ramp, go east on Route 910. At the first light after the highway, turn right onto Brandt School Road. Drive about 2½ miles to the first stop sign. Turn right onto West Ingomar Road (there will be a sign here) and drive about ½ mile to the site entrance (there will be a sign here also). Turn into the long driveway to reach the parking lot.

From the east:

Take the PA Turnpike to Exit 28 Cranberry, and follow the signs to connect directly to Route 79 South. Take Exit 73/Wexford/Rt 910. At the end of the ramp, go east on Route 910. At the first light after the highway, turn right onto Brandt School Road. Drive about 2½ miles to the first stop sign. Turn right onto West Ingomar Road (there will be a sign here) and drive about ½ mile to the site entrance (there will be a sign here also). Turn into the long driveway to reach the parking lot.